A recent medical study has warned that children who sleep less than seven hours a day are more susceptible to obesity, raising fears of serious illnesses at an early age. According to the "Daily Mail," adolescents who do not get enough sleep are 70% more likely to become obese compared to their peers.
The study conducted by Spanish researchers revealed that children need at least eight hours of sleep each day to maintain good health. Dr. Jesus Martinez Gomez, a researcher at the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research in Madrid, stated that schools should educate children about healthy sleep habits.
When sleep deprivation occurs, the body releases the hunger hormone known as "ghrelin," which causes individuals to eat larger amounts of food. The study, the results of which were presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference, involved 1,200 children aged between 12 and 16 years, during which researchers measured their sleep duration alongside their body mass index.
The researchers recommended that parents establish a strict sleep schedule for their children to avoid obesity and the associated serious health issues such as heart disease. Public Health England advises that young children should sleep between 7 and 11 hours a day to grow physically and mentally in a healthy manner.
